Why did Jesus go into the desert for 40 days? Here’s the answer, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
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InMatthew4:1-11,weheartheGospelaccountofJesusbeingledbytheSpiritintothedeserttobetemptedbythedevil.Thisperiodprecededthebeginningofhisearthlyministry.
TheseasonofLentremindsusofthistimeinsalvationhistory.We,too,arecalledintothedeserttobetemptedinourownways.EnteringthistimeallowsustofullyparticipateinthePassion,Death,andultimately,theResurrectionofJesusonEasterSunday.
But,whydidJesusenterthedesertinthefirstplace?AccordingtotheCatechismoftheCatholicChurch(538-540),“TheGospelsspeakofatimeofsolitudeforJesusinthedesertimmediatelyafterhisbaptismbyJohn.DrivenbytheSpiritintothedesert,Jesusremainstherefor40dayswithouteating;helivesamongwildbeasts,andangelsministertohim.Attheendofthistime,Satantemptshimthreetimes,seekingtocompromisehisfilialattitudetowardGod.Jesusrebuffstheseattacks,whichrecapitulatethetemptationsofAdaminParadiseandofIsraelinthedesert,andthedevilleaveshim‘untilanopport
